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F&M virus leak ‘contained’ at Surrey lab site
10:21am Friday 23rd November 2007
FOOT-and-mouth fears have resurfaced after the Government announced yesterday (Thursday) details of a "probable" leak of the virus from the same site identified as the source of the recent outbreak.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that a possible leaking valve at the Merial Animal Health facility, at Pirbright, Surrey, had allowed an "unintended probable release of the live foot-and-mouth virus" into the site's contained drainage system.
In a statement issued by the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, it was confirmed that an inspection team had assured that the live virus had not been released into the environment and that it had been contained by the vigorous biosecurity safety mechanisms in place.
In response to the news, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: "Yet again the competence of the Government has been brought into question. A second leak of the virus at the very same site beggars belief. We can only hope that this one will not lead to another outbreak.
"There needs to be a measured response to this news and at this stage there should be no movement restrictions imposed outside the region surrounding Pirbright."
Defra has suspended Merial's licence to permit the use of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue viruses for vaccine production and confirmed that no new livestock movement restrictions had been put in place.
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Prehistoric walk
The interesting brochure you can obtain from the car park at Foulshaw Moss says that more than several thousand years ago the Witherslack Mosses were part of an extensive wetland in what is now the Lyth Valley and on the flat ground west of the Kent Estuary. The Mosses - Meathop, Foulshaw and Nicols - are raised peat bogs brought about by sphagnum moss that draws up, acidifies, and holds water like a giant sponge, creating waterlogged conditions as it grows. Sphagnum grows from the tip, leaving the lower part to die. Waterlogging halts decay of these dead bits that build up and up over thousands of years, to form deep domed mounds of peat that are raised many feet above the surrounding ground. The Witherslack Mosses have dried out partly as a result of forestry and the invasion of scrub. Over time, drainage and peat cutting led to the loss of more wetland and now only significant fragments remain. Specialised peatbog flora and fauna have been unable to thrive because of the area being too shaded and too dry. Recently conifers have been removed and also masses of rhododendrons have been cleared. Hundreds of peat and plastic dams have been installed to bring about the ‘sponge’ effect of the peat. At Foulshaw, the remains of a 15ft to 16ft wide prehistoric trackway has been uncovered. This is believed to have been constructed in the mid-Bronze Age to allow people to cross the once huge wetland. Trunks of ash and birch were laid side by side and supported on logs. Foulshaw Moss is open to the public. Nichols Moss, a really squelchy one, is only suitable for a hundred yards or so before you encounter pathless very wet moss. It is a delight to stand and look ahead but as there is no walkway do not continue. Pause just on its edge from where you might spot red deer. Meathop is a lovely walk but only for those with a permit from Cumbria Wildlife Trust or if you are a member. The parking is difficult. After the first short grassy track, follow a wider track, left, that winds round right by a pasture and into fine conifer woodland. Beyond this a wide walkway takes you out some distance into the moss, from where you will spot all sorts of interesting lowly plants. To visit Foulshaw Moss, on the A590, it is best to approach the entrance from the direction of Kendal. If coming from the opposite direction continue on past the entrance and make use of the Levens underpass to make a U-turn and approach from the north. This avoids trying to make a right turn across a narrow section of the busy A-road. The entrance is not signposted until you have turned off the road. The entrance turn, a cart track, lies just before a large layby on a narrow section of the A-road. Just beyond the turn, stands a huge sign saying ‘Dual carriageway a mile ahead’. To approach the entrance, drive the dual carriageway at Levens until it ends. Continue a short distance along the two-way road and begin to signal your left turn. Watch out for the large sign ahead. If you reach the layby you have gone too far.
In this section
- Get That Weekend Feeling
- Van fails to stop after collision near Ambleside
- Affordable housing campaign takes shelter in Kendal
- Councillors claim thousands in expenses
- Herbicide ban called for
- Kendal hospital ‘victory’ applauded
- Restoration work is underway
- Bay walks guide condemns route change idea
- Elected park authority members debated
- Ospreys deliver a surprise
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